Railway switch



July 2, 1963 CHADENSON RAILWAY SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1962 July 2, 1963 L. CHADENSON RAILWAY SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 2, 1963 CHADENSON RAILWAY SWITCH Filed June 29, 1962 July 2, 1963 CHADENSON RAILWAY SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 29, 1962 States This invention relates to switching devices for railway systems wherein the vehicles are equipped with carrier wheels provided with tires, and having guide means such as wheels having generally but not exclusively a vertical axis, which are provided with tires and mounted on the frame or on each bogie truck of the vehicle and guided by surfaces extending at right angles to the track engaged by the carrier wheels, said guiding surfaces being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supporting track.

To this end, the switching device according to the invention comprises a movable member adapted to pivot about a vertical axis situated at the point of crossing of the inner guide tracks of the direct line and of the curved or branch line, said movable member being adapted to be locked in two end positions corresponding the one to the direct line and the other to the curved or branch line, and consisting of at least two elements arranged in longitudinal alignment, the second element pivoting in relation to the first element about a vertical axis, each element being bound laterally by a plane vertical surface on the side of the direct line and by a curved vertical surface on the side of the curved or branch line, the curvature of said curved vertical surface corresponding to that of said curved line, the operative connection between these two elements and the relative arrangement of said vertical surfaces on each element being such that, in each one of the end positions in which they can be locked, which correspond to the direct line and to the curved or branch line, the outer vertical surface of the second element of the idle line and the inner vertical surface of the two elements are in longitudinal alignment with each other and with the inner guide track of the operative line.

A switching device provided with a movable member of this character is suitable for a railway system operating conventional wheel-supported vehicles, the vehicle carrier tracks consisting for example of the complete surface area available between the guide tracks; on the other hand, in the case of a railway system utilizing suspended vehicles and comprising two tracks separated by a longitudinal slot through which extend the suspension rods of the vehicles which are anchored on bogie trucks rolling on said tracks, the movable portion of the switch must be completed with carrier tracks whereby the wheels of the vehicles may clear unobstructed the slot of the idle line.

In this case, the movable member of the switching device broadly described hereinabove comprises, in addition, externally of the vertical surfaces constituting the guide tracks, horizontal flanges adapted to act as supporting tracks, and a longitudinal notch formed in the guide tracks, just above the supporting tracks of the direct and curved lines, to permit the movement of the switch to the two end positions contemplated, that is, in the direct line and in the curved line positions of the horizontal flanges of the two switch elements which are not used as supporting tracks, the operative flanges being connected with each other and with those of the inner supporting track of the operative line while forming extensions thereof.

According to another feature characterizing this invention, the switch may be so arranged that in the direct line the two supporting tracks are plane from end to end, and generally horizontal, whilst in the curved or branch line the outer supporting track is slightly raised and the inner supporting track is slightly lowered, so that the time desirable cant is obtained. This raising and lowering of the outer and inner tracks respectively may have the same value as the thickness of the horizontal flanges of the switch which act as supporting tracks.

Of course, adequate control means are provided for actuating and locking the switch.

A typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings in the case of a switching device comprising guide tracks and also supporting tracks, for example for suspended vehicles. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view showing the fixed portions of the switching device, the movable portion being removed for the sake of clarity.

FIGURE 2 is a diagram showing the elevational contours of the supporting tracks.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the movable portion of the switch.

FIGURES 4 and 5 are sections taken along the lines IV-IV and VV of FIG. 3, respectively.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective fragmentary view showing on a larger scale the free end of the movable portion.

FIGURES 7 and 8 are plan views showing the switch in direct-line and branch-line positions respectively.

FIGURES 9a and 9b are fragmentary plan views showing the devices for controlling the rear portion and front portion of the switch respectively, these two figures forming together a single figure when assembled along the chain-dotted line a-b.

FIGURES 10a and 10b are sectional views taken along the lines Xa-Xa and XbXb respectively of FIGS. 9a and 9b, these two figures forming together a single figure when assembled along the line cd; and

FIGURES 11 and 12 are sections taken along the lines XI-XI and XIIXII of FIG. 9b respectively.

The switching device illustrated is designed for permitting the passage of trains from line 1 either to the direct line 2 or to the branch or curved line 3. The wheelsupporting surfaces or tracks are respectively the tracks 4 and 5 on line 1, 6 and 7 on line 2, and 8 and 9 on line 3. The guiding surfaces or tracks extending at right angles to the supporting tracks are tracks 10' and 11 on line 1, 12 and 13 on line 2, 14 and 15 on curved line 3.

The supporting surfaces 4, 6, 5 and 9 are continuous. The same applies to the guiding surfaces 10, 11, 14 and 15.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, although the direct supporting tracks 4, 6 is at the same level 0 throughout its length, the branch line supporting surface passes from level 0 to a lower level shown in broken lines in its central portion 16 through an intermediate inclined surface 17, and subsequently returns to the normal level 0 throughout another inclined surface 18.

The movable member or blade 19 pivotally mounted about an axis 20 extending at right angles to the wheelsupporting surfaces or tracks comprises a central boxshaped portion 21a, 21b having a cross-section of inverted T configuration, the two lateral faces 22, 23 thereof extending at right angles to the Wheel-supporting surfaces or tracks to constitute guiding surfaces restoring the continuity of the guiding surfaces 11 and 13, respectively, when the movable member is in its straight line position, and 10 and 14 when the movable member is in its position leading to the branch or curved line.

The Wheel-supporting tracks or surfaces 24 and 25 are secured on the lower portion of the aforesaid central boxshaped portion 21a, 21b. The wheel-supporting surface 24 is designed to restore the continuity of the wheelsupporting surfaces or tracks 5 and 7 when the movable member is in its direct-line position, and the wheel-supporting surface 25 is adapted to restore the continuity of at the wheel-supporting surfaces 4 and 8 when the movable member is switched to its curved-line position.

The aforesaid movable member or blade 19 is divided into two portions pivoted'on an axis 26 extending at right angles to the wheel-supporting surfaces. One of these portions is the point and the other the heel of the blade.

This movable member 19 is so designed that on the one hand the lateral face 23 comprises, on either side of the aforesaid pivot axis 26, two portions 23a and 23b having the shape of curvilinear segments generally but not exclusively of circular contour, but in any case concentric to the branch line, and on the other hand the opposite lateral face 22 comprises on either side of the aforesaid pivotal mounting 26 two rectilinear portions 22a and 22b.

The same applies to each one of the two corresponding wheel-supporting surfaces or tracks 24 and 25 which also comprise on either side of the aforesaid axis 26 two rectilinear portions 24a and 24b and two portions 25a and 25b having the same curvilinear contour, generally but not exclusively circular, as the aforesaid surfaces 23a and 23b and in any case concentric to the branch line.

Thus, when the switching device is in its direct line position the aforesaid portion 23b of lateral face 23 of the movable central portion 19 bears against the guiding surface 11 of the branch line 3. This guiding surface 11 is formed with a longitudinal notch 11a to permit the passage of the wheel-supporting surface 25b (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

The continuity of the guiding action is ensured on one side by the two surfaces 22a and 22b which are then aligned with surfaces 11 and 13, and on the other side by the surfaces 10 and 12 which, by construction, are continuous.

The continuity of the wheel-supporting surfaces or tracks is obtained on one side by the two surfaces 24a and 24b aligned with surfaces 5 and 7, and on the other side by the two surfaces 4 and 6 which, by construction, are continuous.

When the switching device is in its curved line position the rectilinear lateral surface 22b of the central movable member 19 lies against the guiding surface 10 of direct line 1, this guiding surface 10 being formed with a longitudinal notch 10a permitting the passage of the wheel-supporting track or surface 24b (FIGS. 11 and 12).

The continuity of the guiding action is ensured on one side by the two circular surfaces 23a and 23b interconnecting the two guiding surfaces 10 and 14, land on the other side by the guiding surfaces 11 and which, by construction, are continuous.

The continuity of the rolling surface is ensured on one side by the two circular surfaces 25:: and 25b interconnecting the wheel-supporting surfaces 4 and 8, and on the other side through wheel supporting surfaces 5 and 9 which, by construction, are continuous.

Desirably, the wheel-supporting surfaces or tracks should be level in the direct-line section and suitably canted in the branch-line section; to this end, the contour illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 may be adhered to; the rectilinear wheel-supporting surfaces 24a, 24b corresponding to the direct line is level from end to end, and the lower face of its point is bevelled at 27 to match the inclined surface 17 which is to be engaged thereby; the curvilinear wheel-supporting surfaces 25a, 25b corresponding to the branch line is level, except for its bevelled end portion 28, its lower flat face 29 being adapted to bear on the flat wheel-supporting surface 4 of the branch-line; due to this difference in level the movable member 19 is kept in the direct-line position at a level e lower than that in which it lies in the branch-line position.

Suitable and on the other hand conventional devices are also provided for on the one hand raising the movable central member 19 before it performs its movements of rotation about the pivot pins 20 and 26, whether cam or ram means providing a vertical lifting action are used to this end, and on the other hand, the aforesaid movements of rotation, and finally the necessary locking action whether in direct-line position or in branch-line position.

These suitable and conventional devices ensure the operation and locking of the switching device when it is moved from one position to the opposite position.

The pivot pin 20 is secured on the stationary structure of the wheel-supporting tracks 7, 8 and guiding tracks 13, 14. The movement of rotation of the complete central member 19 about the pivot pin 20 is controlled by a main mechanism disposed in proximity of said pivot pin.

This mechanism may comprise a gear segment 30 secured under the heel of the movable member 19, and a toothed pinion 31. This pinion 31 is rigid with a shaft 32 carried by the stationary structure of the wheel-supporting tracks 7, 8; it is rotatably driven from a motor 33 through a transmission 34 (for example of the chain and sprocket type) or through any other known and suitable system.

To rotate the two heel and poin portions of the central member or blade 19 in relation to each other about the pivot pin 26, an auxiliary mechanism is mounted inside the central box-shaped member 21 in the vicinity of this pin 26. Thus, when the switching device is in its direct-line position, the lateral face 23b bears properly against the guiding surface 11 of branch line 3. Similarly, when the switching device is in its branch-line position the lateral face 22b will properly engage the guiding surface '10 of direct line 1.

To this end, the auxiliary device consists of a toothed sector 35 secured on the box-shaped structure 21b of the poin portion of central member 19, this sector 35 constituting the extension of said point portion inside the box-shaped structure 21a of the heel of said central member 19. This toothed sector 35 is in constant meshing engagement with a pinion 36 carried by a shaft 37 rigid with the box-shaped structure 21 of the aforesaid heel. The pinion 37 is rotatably driven from a motor 38 through a transmission 3 9. The drawings illustrate motors 33 and 38 of the hydraulic type, fed with fluid under pressure from pumps and pipe lines not shown, but if desired electromotors and conventional reducing gears may be used for the same purpose.

To reduce the power necessary for moving the switch horizontally by substituting a rolling contact fora sliding contact, roller-type lifting devices are provided at points 40, 41, 42, 43 under the outer wheel-supporting tracks at a point 44 near the pivot pin 20. However, a single lifting device disposed at point 44 could be used, if desired, provided that the complete movable member 19 is sufficiently stifi.

Each one of these devices (for example device 40) comprises a rocking frame 45 of angle shape which pivots about a fixed aXis 46, the horizontal arm of the frame carrying a pair of rollers 47 adapted to engage the lower face of the base plates of the switching device through a pair of slots 48 formed in the wheel-supporting tracks. The vertical arm of this frame is connected to a fluidactuated cylinder 49.

The switch is locked in its two end positions by plungertype locking devices 50', 51, 52 and 53 actuated by hydraulic rams. These locking devices are so disposed that they hold the switch against any horizontal and vertical movement.

The actuation of the switch from one position to the opposite position requires five consecutive steps, that is:

(1) Unlocking the switch.

(2) Raising the switch to an upper, horizontal and constant level by actuating either the devices 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 acting simultaneously, or, according to circumstances, the device 44 alone.

(3) Rotating as a whole the two pivoted portions of the central member 19 by means of the main mechanism 36 and 31 completed by the auxiliary mechanism 35 and 36.

(4) When the point of the central member 19 lies properly against its bearing surface (that is, 11 in the direct-line position and 10 in the branch-line position), the complete switch is lowered until the base plates lie on the corresponding stationary tracks.

(5) Locking the complete switch assembly.

Of course, the form of embodiment of the invention which is described hereinabove and illustrated in the ac companying drawings is given by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting the invention, as many modifications and variations may be brought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Thus, although the form of embodiment shown and described herein relates to the connection between a main line and a direct line or a branch line, it is evident for anybody conversant with the art that this invention may also be easily adapted to conventional vehicles having their bodies supported by their bogie trucks and is applicable as well to double-curve switches for lines curving in opposite directions, in which case the rectilinear guiding and wheel supporting surfaces are replaced by curved surfaces.

What I claim is:

l. A switching device for railway systems in which the vehicles are equipped with carrier wheels mounted on pneumatic tires and with guide means such as wheels generally but not exclusively horizontal provided preferably with tires, mounted on the frame or on each bogie truck of the vehicle and engaging lateral guiding surfaces extending at right angles to the wheel-supporting surfaces and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rolling surface, said device comprising a movable member adapted to pivot about a vertical axis situated at the point of crossing of the inner guiding tracks of the direct line and of the branch line, means for locking said movable member in two end positions, one end position corresponding to the passage to the direct line, the other to the branch line, said movable member consisting in turn of at least two elements in longitudinal relative alignment, the second element pivoting in relation to the first element about a vertical axis, each one of these elements being bound laterally by a plane vertical face on the side of the direct line and by a curved vertical face having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the branch line, on the side of the branch line, and means for interconnecting these two elements whereby, in each one of the end positions in which they can be locked, which correspond to the direct line and to the branch line respectively, the outer vertical surface of the second element lies against the outer guiding track of the inoperative line, and the inner vertical surfaces of the two elements are in longitudinal alignment with each other and with the inner guiding track of the operative line.

2. A switching device as set forth in claim 1, designed for a railway system for operating suspended vehicles, which comprises two wheel-supporting tracks separated by a slot through which extend the vehicle body suspension rods depending from bogie trucks rolling on said tracks, wherein the movable member of the switching device comprises, in addition, externally of the vertical surfaces constituting the guiding tracks at the lower portion thereof, horizontal flanges adapted to constitute a wheelsupporting track, and a longitudinal notch formed in the guiding tracks just above the wheel-supporting tracks of the direct and branch lines, to permit the passage, in the two end positions in which the switch may be set, that is, the direct line position and the branch line position, of the horizontal flanges of the two switch elements which are inoperative, as a wheel-supporting track, the inoperative flanges being connected with each other and with those of the inner wheel-supporting track of the operative track to constitute longitudinal extensions thereof.

3. A switching device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the arrangement is such that in the direct line position the two wheel-supporting tracks are disposed end to end and generally horizontally, and that in the branch line position the outer wheel-supporting track is slightly raised and the inner wheel-supporting track is slightly lowered, in order to provide the proper cant.

4. A switching device as set forth in claim 3, wherein this raising and lowering of the wheel-supporting tracks have a magnitude 6 equal to that of the thickness of the horizontal flanges of the switching device, which act as wheel-supporting track sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,434,523 Sheets Jan. 13, 1948 2,757,785 Dauenhauer Aug. 7, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,248,112 France Oct. 31, 1960 

1. A SWITCHING DEVICE FOR RAILWAY SYSTEMS IN WHICH THE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER WHEELS MOUNTED ON PNEUMATIC TIRES AND WITH GUIDE MEANS SUCH AS WHEELS GENERALLY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY HORIZONTAL PROVIDED PREFERABLY WITH TIRES, MOUNTED ON THE FRAME OR ON EACH BOGIE TRUCK OF THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGING LATERAL GUIDING SURFACES EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE WHEEL-SUPPORTING SURFACES AND PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ROLLING SURFACE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A MOVABLE MEMBER ADAPTED TO PIVOT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS SITUATED AT THE POINT OF CROSSING OF THE INNER GUIDING TRACKS OF THE DIRECT LINE AND OF THE BRANCH LINE, MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID MOVABLE MEMBER IN TWO END POSITIONS, ONE END POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE PASSAGE TO THE DIRECT LINE, THE OTHER TO THE BRANCH LINE, SAID MOVABLE MEMBER CONSISTING IN TURN OF AT LEAST TWO ELEMENTS IN LONGITUDINAL RELATIVE ALIGNMENT, THE SECOND ELEMENT PIVOTING IN RELATION TO THE FIRST ELEMENT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, EACH ONE OF THESE ELEMENTS BEING BOUND LATERALLY BY A PLANE VERTICAL FACE ON THE SIDE OF THE DIRECT LINE AND BY A CURVED VERTICAL FACE HAVING A CURVATURE CORRESPONDING TO THE CURVATURE OF THE BRANCH LINE, ON THE SIDE OF THE BRANCH LINE, AND MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING THESE TWO ELEMENTS WHEREBY, IN EACH ONE OF THE END POSITIONS IN WHICH THEY CAN BE LOCKED, WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE DIRECT LINE AND TO THE BRANCH LINE RESPECTIVELY, THE OUTER VERTICAL SURFACE OF THE SECOND ELEMENT LIES AGAINST THE OUTER GUIDING TRACK OF THE INOPERATIVE LINE, AND THE INNER VERTICAL SURFACES OF THE TWO ELEMENTS ARE IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE INNER GUIDING TRACK OF THE OPERATIVE LINE. 